On Sunday, June 24, the Hallberg Butterfly Gardens in Sebastopol holds an annual "Open Gardens Day." Visitors are welcome to tour the grounds, watch for butterflies, don't expect too many, however, and learn about the bird and insect-friendly plants overseen by a very special lady.

Louise Hallberg is the founder and central personality of the Hallberg Butterfly Gardens. The gardens surround her home in Northern Sebastopol, nestled among hills and apple orchards. Louise's parents moved here 101 years ago and she still has family in the area. Her nine acres hold trees, pasturage and, what they are most known for, butterfly gardens.

Butterflies are on the decline in the North Bay, for lots of reasons says Frederique Lavoipierre, a biologist at Sonoma State University. They've been called "the canary in the coal mine of climate change." But a warming planet isn't the sole reason for the decline seen in Louise's garden.

Images: Danielle Venton/KRCB.